Mbalaka niuniu
Balaka longirostris

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A slender solitary palm. It grows to 7 m high and is 5 cm across. The leaves are 1-2 m long. The leaf stalk is 0.5-26 cm. The leaflets are 7-14 on each side. The leaflets are wedge shaped. The ends of the leaflets are strongly lobed and with teeth along the edge. The flowering stalk is branched and is 5-22.5 cm long. The fruit is pear shaped and orange-red. It is 3.2-3.8 cm long and 1.1-1.6 cm wide.

There are 7 Balaka species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in Fiji from sea level to 1,000 m altitude. It occurs in the rainforests. It grows in the mountains in moist places. It needs a shady, warm position in well drained acid soil. It cannot grow on high pH soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Fiji, Pacific

How it is used for food

The kernel of the fruit is edible.

Edible parts

Kernel, nuts

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Fresh seed germinate easily. They take 4-6 weeks to germinate. Seed should not be allowed to dry out.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Balaka leprosa A. C. Sm.;